Thank you Ed, I agree that the knobs do not look like sphero-conical vessels, at least on the spears/scepters discussed here. It also looks like these were in use well before the Mahdi started his rebellion, with their use continuing during the Mahdiya but not originating during those times. The command baton theory so far lacks factual support, so we should probably dismiss it for now.
If I am interpreting your post right, you have not found anything in contemporary accounts to support Zirngibl's statement that these were used by religious fanatics for self-inflicting wounds either, correct?
Teodor
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